Proud.

By Jamey Newberg | Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Just like Ivan Rodriguez's final hit as a Ranger (the first time around at least), an opposite-field double that he rocketed to right center field, Michael Young's franchise record-tying and record-breaking hits were extremely fitting: a similar double to right center, pure opposite field genius befitting of both the Rangers' new all-time hit leader and the man who, on that list, he has displaced, followed by a single shot up the middle that plated two runs, instrumental in a victory, the most appropriate part of all of this.

Young said after the 27th out that he's happy the record-breaking hit came in such a big spot in the game, so he wouldn't have to think about anything other than trying to push another couple runs across. (Which made me think of something I'd written four years ago: http://newberg.mlblogs.com/archives/2006/09/the_newberg_rep_8.html.) And of course, nobody doubts the sincerity of his comment, or his final words to Nolan Ryan during the live TV interview that just finished: "Proud to be a Ranger."

Sorry to interrupt without having much to say. I'm proud that guy's a Ranger.

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Jamey Newberg

Dallas attorney Jamey Newberg has been commenting on Rangers from the big club down through the entire farm system since 1998.

Scott Lucas

Scott Lucas was born in Arlington, Texas, to Richard and Becky Lucas. He lived mostly in Arlington before moving to Austin, where he graduated from The University of Texas. Scott works for Austin Valuation Consultants, Ltd., and has published several boring articles about real estate appraisal and environmental contamination. He makes a swell margarita and refuses to run longer than ten kilometres.

Eleanor Czajka

Eleanor grew up watching the AAA Mudhens in Toledo, Ohio. A loyal Ranger fan since 1979, she works "behind the scenes" at the Newberg Report.